Patrick O'Donnell, M.A. 2006
Research Associate,
Ketchum Communications
New York, NY
By Cassie Eberle, 2008
In the area of public relations most practitioners avoid, graduate Patrick O’Donnell is excelling.
"I’ve always wanted to get into research,” Patrick says. “I knew I wanted to work for a big company with a wide range of experience.”
Patrick is applying his education from Florida State University to his work with Ketchum Communications’ research department in New York.
Besides being PRWeek’s Agency of the Year in 2002, Ketchum, a full service communication firm, also boasts that it is the “number one research group among public relations firms today.”
Patrick has been involved with primary research for Kodak, Best Buy and Dow Chemical.
"(New York City) is the center of the world for public relations. If you can do it here you can go anywhere you want,” Patrick says.
Before making it to the Big Apple, Patrick took small steps to fine tune his communication skills. He interned at the State Capitol and Oppenheim Associates, studied abroad in London and kept his writing skills fresh as a reporter for the FSView.
Patrick credits his research background to helping him to get where he is today.
“Being able to recognize and know the basics in research has put me ahead of a lot of people,” Patrick said. “I really enjoy figuring out how to do something best and how you can apply what you’ve learned to make a successful campaign.”
He advises current students in the communication field to pursue a strong knowledge of the research process.
"If you can get (the research process) you’re in good shape. Having a basic understanding of statistics is important, and it’s always good to know those types of things.”
Patrick earned both his bachelor’s in public relations and his master’s in Integrated Marketing Communications at FSU and hopes to earn his doctorate in the future.